Q Haben Sie was gegen Kopfschmerzen? — Do you have anything for a headache?
- A Ibuprofen oder Paracetamol? — Ibuprofen or paracetamol?
The morning after & the pharmacy (Germany)
Q → A → what they'll probably say
Short answerIn Germany, say Haben Sie was gegen Kopfschmerzen? — Do you have anything for a headache?
At the Apotheke
Q Was fehlt Ihnen denn? — What seems to be the matter?
- A Mir ist übel. — I feel sick.
- A Ich hab Magenschmerzen. — I've got stomach ache.
They'll say Das hilft dagegen. — This will help with that.
Q Ich hab die ganze Nacht nicht geschlafen. — I didn't sleep all night.
- A Viel trinken und ausruhen. — Drink plenty and rest.
Q Brauche ich dafür ein Rezept? — Do I need a prescription for that?
- A Nein, gibt's frei. — No, it's over the counter.
Q Haben Sie Elektrolyte? — Do you have electrolytes?
- A Ja, als Pulver. — Yes, as a powder.
Q Nehmen Sie sonst Medikamente? — Are you on any other medication?
- A Nein, gar nichts. — No, nothing at all.
They'll say Gut, dann ist das unbedenklich. — Good — then this is fine.
Q Wie oft soll ich das nehmen? — How often should I take this?
- A Höchstens dreimal am Tag. — Three times a day at most.
Q Wo ist die nächste Apotheke? — Where's the nearest pharmacy?
- A Am Bahnhof, die hat Notdienst. — At the station — that one's on emergency duty.
German pharmacies shut evenings and Sundays. One per area runs a Notdienst rota, and every closed door lists which.
Hangover vocabulary
- der KaterThe hangover — literally "the tomcat".
- verkatertHungover.
- das KaterfrühstückThe hangover breakfast — salty, and a genuine institution.
- das KonterbierHair of the dog — literally the "counter-beer".
- der FilmrissA blackout — literally the film tearing mid-reel.
- der RestalkoholWhat's still in you this morning — the word that stops you driving.
- einen Brand habenTo be desperately thirsty the day after — literally to have a fire.
- Nie wieder Alkohol.Never again. Said sincerely, roughly monthly.